Shall we dance? Two lions do the Funky Chicken on a Potosi Charles IV 8 reales, 1791PR

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by robinjojo, Mar 14, 2022.

  1. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    This coin might be from the Cuzco Hoard, but I have no documentation. It is a scarcer date, the first date with the proper bust of Charles IV at Potosi.

    But something is going on with the reverse shield. There are two lions high stepping (rampant) in the lower left quadrant. Obviously this is a situation of double punching the lions during the creation of the die.

    D-Camera Potosi 8 reales 1791PR double lions detail 3-14-22.jpg

    Here's the coin.

    KM 73

    26.8 grams

    D-Camera Potosi 8 reales ChasIV 1791PR double lions pos Cuzco h KM73 3-14-22.jpg

    Otherwise, there isn't anything very unusual about this coin. The grade is decent, but there are a couple of light scratches on the obverse.

    Krause does not mention this mint error for 1791. Perhaps this is a situation where it might be fairly common, if you know where to look.

    Has anyone else encountered this error?
     
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  3. jgenn

    jgenn World Crown Collector

    Here's a Potosí mint 8 reales with a strongly doubled portrait. Lacking doubling in the legends, it's also likely that just the king punch was doubled on the die.

    1778_PTS_PR#1b.jpg
     
  4. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Beautiful coin! I guess it is not terribly surprising that doubling like this occurs in these early milled coins. Quality control, particularly in a remote mint such as Potosi, was probably lacking.

    What grade is your coin assigned? The strike and surfaces are excellent!

    I know that many years ago, in the mid 1980's as i recall, a large group of Charles III Potosi 8 reales hit the market, many in choice uncirculated condition. Perhaps this coin is one of them.
     
    john-charles likes this.
  5. jgenn

    jgenn World Crown Collector

    This one is graded MS61. I've only had it in my collection since 2013 and no provenance was provided in the Heritage auction listing.
     
    john-charles likes this.
  6. Cheech9712

    Cheech9712 Every thing is a guess

    Cute
     
  7. Cheech9712

    Cheech9712 Every thing is a guess

    I love when I see good pictures. Thanks
     
  8. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Those are some lovely examples of type, @robinjojo and @jgenn

    I thought I had one of these 1791's, but this one was minted in Lima, Peru. Mine does not have any doubling, but it does have a lot of chopmarks. As an added bonus :rolleyes: it has been heavily polished and put in a plastic box (Postal Commemorative Society or some such company):

    Chops Peru - 1791 8 Reales boxed (1).jpg

    Thanks to its very unoriginal mirror-like surfaces, it was rather hard to photograph. It weighs 26.69 grams. Here it is in its plastic box:

    Chops Peru - 1791 8 Reales boxed (2).JPG
     
    Theodosius and robinjojo like this.
  9. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    I like your coin! The chop marks give it real character.
     
    Marsyas Mike likes this.
  10. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    Really nice coins! Spanish mints produced a treasure trove of silver/ gold coinage.
     
    robinjojo likes this.
  11. Paddy54

    Paddy54 Well-Known Member

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